1

HAURAKI DISTRICT COUNCIL

ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE HAURAKI DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICE, WILLIAM STREET, , ON TUESDAY 21 APRIL 2009 AT 1.00PM.

PRESENT: Cr G A Harris (in the Chair), Cr J Thorp, His Worship the Mayor, J P Tregidga (from 2.15pm), D Gilbertson and J Bowers (OPUS International), I Le Fevre (Eastern - Road Safety Co-ordinator), M Davison (NZTA), A McKillop (NZTA), G Masters (NZ Road Transport Association), B McMaster (Environment Waikato), Mr G Thomsen (HDC Roading Manager), E Gower (Paeroa Grey Power), K Trembath (Hauraki-Coromandel Federated Farmers Assoc.), A Fosberry (GHD Limited) and Ms C Black (Council Secretary)

APOLOGIES:

RESOLVED

THAT the apologies of Cr T J Meyers, Cr D E Challis, M Te Wharau and J Wilson be received and sustained.

Davison/Thorp

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF TUESDAY 19 AUGUST 2008

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the Hauraki District Council Road Safety Committee meeting held on Tuesday 19 August 2008 be taken as read and confirmed.

Trembath/Masters

HAURAKI DISTRICT COUNCIL ROAD SAFETY REPORT APRIL 2009 (CR HARRIS) (477628)

MINOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2008/2009

The HDC Roading Manager presented a summary of the 2008/09 minor safety improvements.

The Roading Manager highlighted the roading remedial work required following the drought period over summer. Tender contract is out for this work. It is envisaged that this remedial work will be commencing soon.

Netherton Turnoff SH2

Gary Masters of the NZ Road Transport Association asked when the remedial work will be completed at the Netherton turnoff on SH2.

Darren Gilbertson updated on the remedial work involved at this location. He advised that trees have been removed from the road reserve. He highlighted the issue concerning shelterbelts being planted close to road reserve boundaries on state highways. Council policy states that no shelter belt is to be planted within 10m from the road reserve boundary. There have been a number of areas along the state highway where trees have grown under the road the seeking water over the drought period resulting in cracks to seal.

Cr Thorp raised his concern regarding the poor condition of the seal in Thorp Road.

The Roading Manager continued with his report.

FRED_n485937_v1_Road_Safety_Cttee_Minutes_-_21_April_2008.doc 2 He reported that further to the report presented during the previous meeting all projects have been designed.

The planned total expenditure is currently $443,245 whilst the agreed Minor Improvements budget is $440,160. This is a satisfactory result.

There is urgency in having these designs constructed prior to the end of June 2009. In terms of procurement: - the lighting upgrades have been tasked to Northpower and they have commenced works. - a contract has been drafted which includes the 3 intersection upgrades. This contract will be publically tendered shortly.

MINOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2009/2010 Onwards

Council have recently approved reducing the minor improvement budget for future years by approximately $200,000 annually. This change halts all future streetlight upgrades until such time funding becomes available. The impact of this decision is considered minor as currently no safety incidents reported over the last five years has been the result of poor lighting within the District.

NEW ZEALAND TRANSPORT AGENCY (NZTA) - ROAD SAFETY UPDATE

Andrew McKillop tabled and presented the Road Safety Update report on behalf of the NZ Transport Agency.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received. Thorp/Bowers

Mr McKillop distributed the NZTA’s ‘Stepping Forward’ newsletter to the Committee members for their information. The newsletter outlined the three year Draft Regional Land Transport Programmes. The Regional Land Transport Committees have adopted their draft regional land transport programmes. Consultation is being carried out in April. Production of the programmes is on track for adoption and publication by September 2009.

The newsletter also outlined matters concerning Public Transport and Community Transport Fund Approvals.

Mr McKillop advised that the ‘Stepping Forward’ newsletters are available on the internet at: http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/funding/stepping-forward/index.html.

Matters under consideration by NZTA:

- Traffic volume through the . - Alternative route being considered - SH29 (over Kaimai Range) instead of SH2. - Strategy study for SH29 and SH2 has been carried out. - Design work is underway for Cambridge By pass due to congestion of the state highway at peak times.

NEW ZEALAND TRANSPORT AGENCY (NZTA) - ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

John Bowers presented the report on the Road safety improvement programme.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

Thorp/McKillop Alignment Improvements:

¾ Passing lanes completed near Samson Road, ¾ Simmonds Straight

FRED_n485937_v1_Road_Safety_Cttee_Minutes_-_21_April_2008.doc 3 ¾ Hill ¾ Waimata realignment is a planned work yet to be approved.

Intersection Improvements:

¾ Dean Crescent, Waihi ¾ Hubbard Road, Paeroa

Line Marking:

East Waikato Audio Tactile lines (noise bumps) for:

¾ SH2 - Waihi to Katikati ¾ Mangatarata to Kopu

Investigations have found that the installation of ‘audio tactile markings’, which create a vibrating sound when vehicle makes contact with them, has reduced crash numbers relating to crossing the centre line and edge lines . Also, guard rails on bridges have reduced seriousness of injuries.

Te Kopua (Nelsons bridge) guard rail upgrading south of , SH27. Kopu Bridge is an upcoming project. Electronic signs are to be installed in Karangahake Gorge

EASTERN WAIKATO - ROAD SAFETY CO-ORDINATORS REPORT

The Roading Manager introduced Ingrid Le Fevre to the Committee. Ingrid replaces Alison Ruru in the role of Eastern Waikato - Road Safety Co-ordinator. Ingrid advised that she is based in Thames and has an office at the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received. Thorp/Davison

Ingrid provided an overview of her first 8 weeks in her role as the East Waikato Road Safety Co- ordinator (RSC).

Schools - Working with Waihi East School and Paeora Christian School in conjunction with the Roading Manager to enhance the areas surrounding the schools by way of signage.

Playing Cards - These have been going as a give aways. The cards have four fatigue messages on them and have proven to be very popular.

Customer Services - Looking at utilising the counters at all 3 Councils and Libraries for giveaways at high peek times such as Rates payment time.

Driving Towards the Future - This road show is currently being scheduled in all the district High Schools as well as schools that have been identified as having a significant alcohol problem.

Plunket - Looking to contract an approved ACC provider to visit all Playcentres within East Waikato.

Ruben the Road Safety Bear - Environment Waikato has Ruben the Road Safety Bear who is free to use. I am looking to have Ruben come into the 3 districts for up to a week at a time.

Safe ‘t’ Shell – These are bright school bag covers to heighten visibility. These are to be used across the district.

Bikewise Week - Assisted Alison Ruru on the Thames Bikewise breakfast. There were eight events across the 3 districts. Paeroa was run by Sport Waikato and did not have the uptake they would have liked.

Fatal Vision Goggles - At the next Road Safety meeting the members will be invited to come in and have an active demonstration of the ‘fatal vision goggles’. End of May this is being run in house at Thames-Coromandel District Council within the Service Delivery area.

FRED_n485937_v1_Road_Safety_Cttee_Minutes_-_21_April_2008.doc 4

Road Safety Co-ordinator Training - Attending the upcoming TRAFINZ Conference to be held in Auckland in September. Had an excellent meeting with the RSC in Franklin District Council and upcoming meetings with other RSC's in Taupo and Tauranga.

Community Funding - Advertised in the 3 local newspapers for groups to apply for funding for 08/09 and 09/10.

Walking School Bus

A very successful walking bus is running in Matamata Primary School. Children are escorted from drop off points and walked to school over busy roads.

The Mayor attended the meeting at 2.15pm.

WALKING & CYCLING STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (CR HARRIS) (479129)

The Roading Manager presented a report which provided an update of the development of the Walking and Cycling Strategy.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received. McKillop/Davison

The report provided an update for members to comment on activities that related to the development of the strategy and the confirmation of appropriate targets which will provide the foundation for the Key Performance Indicators which will drive the strategy.

The Roading Manager introduced to the Committee Ms Ann Fosberry, who is the representative from GHD Limited; the company contracted to carry out the strategy for the Hauraki District Council.

Ms Fosberry provided the Committee with a summary of development of the Hauraki District Walking and Cycling Strategy to date.

On the subject of bike helmets, Ms Fosberry stated it has been found that teenagers generally do not like to wear helmets. There has been an increase in putting car registration ‘on hold’ because people are opting to use their bikes more. There has also been a notable increase in the use of mobility scooters.

Mr Gower, the Grey Power representative raised a concern from Grey Power members on the dangers of using pedestrian crossing on mobility scooters, particularly adjacent to intersections.

Mr Gower was advised that the Automobile Association have safety information to help mobility scooter users.

Ms Fosberry invited the members to contact her at any time with any ideas they had which they considered should be incorporated into the strategy.

Targets

Implementation of targets to be met to promote the strategy, i.e. the holding of school-based training programmes for cycling and specific cycling and walking events.

Regular Events to be held in schools - Project Energise and Sport Waikato’s involvement in these events is important.

Ann suggested that advertisements go into the local newspapers to promote the walking and cycling strategy in the district.

It was suggested that Ann contact Julie Stephenson (Hauraki District Sports Co-ordinator) to discuss the implementation of targets of the Strategy.

FRED_n485937_v1_Road_Safety_Cttee_Minutes_-_21_April_2008.doc 5 The Committee was asked to indicate their support for the ongoing work involved in developing the Haruaki District Walking and Cycling Strategy.

RESOLVED

THAT the Committee supports and where applicable contributes to the ongoing work, direction and long term focus of the Walking and Cycling strategy Gower/Tregidga

GENERAL BUSINESS

Speed Limits - East Waikato

John Bowers reported that speed limits are presently being reviewed in the Eastern Waikato District due to a many comments received from the public asking when speed limits will be changed.

Other business:

A request has been received that another pedestrian crossing is installed in the Paeroa Main Street.

It was commented that the construction of another pedestrian crossing in the main street, would create a loss of car parks which the retail community do not want.

Mr Gower raised a concern from Grey Power regarding the noise level from ‘boom boxes’ in cars. Grey Power asks is there any legislation anywhere outlawing the use of them. He stated that such a loud noise inside a car prevents the driver from hearing the emergency services sirens.

ENVIRONMENT WAIKATO - ROAD SAFETY UPDATE

Jo Carling, Regional Co-ordinator Travel Behaviour Change report. Marceli Davison spoke to Jo Carling’s report in her absence.

Ms Davison spoke to the following points:

Regional Education Campaigns 2008-09 - signs have been erected throughout the district. The signage has been particularly pushed in the main corridors including SH1 through to Piarere and SH39. The next lot of signs will be erected in May and June this year. These signs will promote the theme of ‘Drive to Conditions’.

40 km speed limit around schools is being promoted. A number of speed limit signs stating 40km have been erected around Hamilton schools.

‘Be Seen’ - with the onset of winter drivers are being encouraged to switch on their lights earlier.

Regional Education Campaigns - are being rolled out across the region over the year 2009/10 year.

Other activities:

NSC Education Regional Road Safety Strategy Ruben the Road Safety Bear

Next Meeting of Committee

To be confirmed.

The meeting closed at 2.46pm.

CONFIRMED

G A Harris Chairperson

FRED_n485937_v1_Road_Safety_Cttee_Minutes_-_21_April_2008.doc